The lawyer representing a man accused of a domestic violence murder in the New South Wales Hunter region has described the incident as "tragic", and says those involved are "very distraught".

Christopher James McLoughney, 37, was refused bail by a Sydney magistrate on Sunday morning, after being charged with murder, as well as a drug possession and two firearm-related offences.

He was arrested near a Bellbird sporting club on Saturday night, a day after the body of 39-year-old Rhukaya Lake was found inside a home on Ellalong Street, in Kearsley, just outside of Cessnock.

Police responded to the property around 7.30pm on Friday following reports a woman had been seriously injured and alleged gunshots were heard.

A child is believed to have raised the alarm by walking up to 400 metres to

See Full Page